AIMS:
1. To carry out the annual spring trawl survey for pre-recruit bass in the Solent area.
2. To determine the relative abundance and distribution of juvenile bass and other species in the Solent and associated harbours.

NARRATIVE:
Staff travelled to Portsmouth on 10 September. The survey gear was unloaded at Whale Island, Portsmouth on the 11 September and the survey commenced at 08.49 BST using a Cefas bass trawl of standard design. Five stations outside and 8 stations inside Chichester Harbour were completed. The following day 5 tows inside and 3 outside Langstone Harbour were fished without incident. On 13 September two pilot whales and a porpoise were sighted in Ryde Middle during the steam to the western end of the survey. Eight of the 9 tows in the western Solent and off Ryde, Isle of Wight were fished. The East Brambles tow, outside Southampton Water had to be dropped as static gear had been laid on the tow. On the fourth day the stations in Southampton Water were completed. The net was then replaced with a new one made up this year. A tow between Meon and Lee slip was repeated, along with 3 tows outside Langstone Harbour on the last day in order to ensure consistency between nets in future surveys. The fishing gear was unloaded at Whale Island, Portsmouth and staff returned to Lowestoft on the 23 September.